Card index



Feb. 3, 1931.

' s. ANTHONY cm) INDEX Filed Oct'. 1, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l- Stanley Anthony byMMxM Atty:

s. ANTHONY 1,791,297

cm: INDEX Filed Oct. 1. 192'? 3 Shoots-Shoot 2 Feb. 3, 1931.

V! n o rm on wy l S .4 I a a a o m an 5 .4 \n a w F i v m S. ANTHONY CARD INDEX Filed Oct. 1, 1927 Feb. 3, 1931.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor. Stanley Anthony bywwkw Attvs.

Patented Feb. 3, 1931 FFICE STANLEY ANTHONY, F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS CARI) INDEX Application filed October 1, 1927. Serial No. 223,391.

This invention relates to card indexes and pertains more particularly to that type of index in which individual cards are supported in overlapping relation upon panels carried by movable holders or supporting members which are normally housed in upright position within a cabinet and which are mounted to swing in vertical planes into and out of the cabinet. 1

The present invention has for its general object to improve card indexes of the type above referred toin various particulars all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

In order to give an understanding of the 16 invention 1 have illustrated in the drawings some selected embodiments thereof which will now be described after which the novel features will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a card index embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on substantially the line 22, Fig. 1 showing the panels housed within the cabinet and the front of the cabinet closed;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3- 3, Fig. 4:;

Fig. i is a section on the line 44, Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2, Fig. 1 showing the cabinet open and one of the panelupporting members withdrawn Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing a modification of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7, Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary View of the cabinet showing the manner in which the wings fold against the side of the cabinet when the shelf is in vertical position.

The complete structure comprises a cabinet 49 having one or more vertically-extending compartments which are open at the front, a

panel-supporting member mounted in each compartment to be withdrawn from the open front thereof, and one or more card-supportvi5 ing panels each carrying a plurality of cards in overlapping relation and each pivotally mounted to a panel-supporting member.

In the drawings 1 indicates generally a cabinet which is formed with a plurality ofver- 50 tically-extending compartments 2, these compartments being separated by suitable partitions 3 and e The panel ach being open at its front. -support1ng members, there being one for each compartment, are indicated generally at 4. Each panel-supporting member is in the form of a strip of metal having a panel-supporting ear or flange 5 at its upper end and also another panel-supporting ear or flange 6 at its lower end. 7 indicate the panels on which the cards 8 are supportedin overlapping relation in any way commonly employed in card indexes. In the construction shown each panel-supporting member 4: is adapted to support two panels 7 although the number of panels carried by each mems her is immaterial to the invention.

As herein shown each panel has at its upper end a pintle 88 which is journalled in the upper flange 5 and at its lower end another pintle 9 which is journalled in the lower flange 6. Each panel is thus pivoted along its rear edge pivoted to ea and where there are two panels ch panel-supporting member the two panels may be folded together when they are to be placed in their compartment 3 or may be opened out from each other to expose withdrawn from the as shown in Fig. 1 when they compartment.

Each panel is detachably secured to its panelsupporting member and for this purpose the shown by dotted lines Fig. 3. The upper pintle 88 is of sufficient length so that when each panel is resting on the flange 6 the pintle 88 wil 1 still be journalled in the upper flange 5. As shown each pintle 9 is formed with the reduced neck portion 10' which provides the shoulder 11 adapted to engage beneath the flange 6 when the panel is in place thereby to prevent accidental raising of the panel.

to disengage as shown by the pintle 9 In order to disconnect the panel the lower end has to be moved laterally slightly the shoulder 11 from the flange dotted lines Fig. 3 after which may be withdrawn through the opening 12 in the flange 6.

Each pane l-supporting member 4 is adapted to be moved into its compartment 2 or to be withdrawn therefrom and when withdrawn from the compartment said member is supported in an inclined position as shown in Figs. 1 and 5 so that the panels 7 may be opened away from each other to expose the cards 8.

One simple way of supporting the panelsupporting member to permit this movement thereof is shown in Fig. 5. Each panel-supporting member is pivoted at its upper end to a lever arm 13 as shown at 1 1, each lever arm being in turn pivoted to an upright support 15 which is fastened at the rear of the compartment 2. Each panel-supporting member is provided at its lower end with a roll 16 which is adapted to travel on a track 17 that is preferably formed partially in the bot tom 18 of the compartment and partially in a shelf or support 19 which forms an extension of said bottom 18; for some purposes, however the track may be provided on the shelf only. This support 19 is also pivotally connected to the cabinet and is adapted to be folded up against the front thereof thereby to partially close the open fronts of the compartments 2.

The shelf 19 is shown as pivoted to the cabinet at 20 and when it is in its operative open position it may be supported in any appropriate way as by means of a folding brace mem ber 21 which is connected at one end to the shelf or support as shown at 22 and at the other end to the cabinet as shown at W' hen the support or shelf 19 is in its open position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 there will be a track 17 extending from the bottom of each compartment 2 across the upper surface of the support 19 and on which the roll 16 of the corresponding panel-supporting member may run. When the panel-supporting member with the connected panels are housed within the compartmentil, as shown in Fig. 3, the panels and panel-supporting member will stand vertically and the roll 16 will be positioned at the rear end of the track 17. When the parts are all in this position the shelf 19 may be folded up as shown in Fig. 2 against the front of the cabinet thereby to partially close the front end. When the shelf 19 is opened down into its horizontal position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 then any panel-supporting member with its panels thereon may be withdrawn from its compart ment by simply rolling the roll 16 along the corresponding track 17.

As the lower end of the panel and its supporting member are Withdrawn from the compartment the upper end which isconnected to the lever arm 13 will swing downwardly and when thepanel-supporting member is fully withdrawn the upper end will-be sub stantially flush with the frontend of the eabinetwhijle' the lower end will be spaced some distance from the front of the cabinet thus placing said member in an inclined position with the panels entirely free from the compartment. The panels may now be opened away from each other to expose the cards 8 as will be obvious. When all necessary information has been secured from the cards the two panels may be folded together and the panel-supporting member may then be re-entered into the compartment as shown in Fig. 2.

In order to guide the movement of the panel-supporting member as it is withdrawn from or re-entered into the compartment 1 may make the track 17 in the form of grooves in which the wheels 16 are received although the tracks 17 and wheels 16 may have any complemental shape without departing from the invention. Such a construction substantially obviates transverse movement of the lower end of the panehsupporting member and hence insures free sliding movement of said members and their supported. panels between the partitions l l hen the track is provided only on the shelf, it is apparent that the partitions will serve to guide the bottom of the panel-supporting members during its movement within the cabinet.

24 is a combined stop member and brace which serves to limit the withdrawing movement of the panel-supporting member and also to assist in sustaining the member in its" inclined position. This brace is pivoted at 25 to the upright 15 and has a slot 26 in its upper end in which is received a pin or projection 27 carried by the lever arm 13, the pin sliding along the slot as the arm or link 13 is swung on its pivot.

The supporting member 19 may be made of suii'icientdimension so that when it is folded it will close the entire open front of the cabinet but as this might give it an unnecessary width 1 may employ an additional cover member 28 for closing the upper end of the cabinet. This member 28 is shown as pivoted to the top of the cabinet at 29 and it may be folded over onto the top of the cabinet as shown in Fig. 1 or folded down against the front of the cabinet as shown in Fig. 2.

In order to provide proper support for the outside panel of the end paneleupporting members I propose to provide the shelf 19 at each end with a folding wins; which is adapted to be opened out into the plane of the shelf when the latter is in, its lowered position. These wings form a continuation of the shelf which is sufficient to support the outside panels of the end panel-supporting members when the latter are withdrawn from the cabinet.

. The pivotal connection between the wings 4 0 and the shelf19 is preferably such that as the shelf is opened down into its horizoniii tal position the wings will automatically open into their operative position when the shelf is folded up to close the cabinet as to the shelf 19 with spring hinges ll, the

springs of which tend to fold the wings but which are of insu'filcient strength to lift the wings when they are in their horizontal position. W hen the shelf reaches a nearly vertical position as it is folded the weight of the wings is taken ofi from the springs of the hinges to a sniiicient extent so that the springs will swing the wings around against the side of the cabinet. On the other hand,.when during the opening movement of the shelf it has reached a nearly open position then the weight of the wings come on the springs of the hinges and will overcome the tension of the springs and will automatically open the 1 rings into their horizontal position.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have illustrated a ditl'erent embodiment of the invention in which each panel-supporting member 4 is provided with trolley wheels which operate in a,

track formed by two guiding rails 31, the trolley wheels being received between the guiding rails. In this construction each compartment 37 of the cabinet 1 is open at the bottom as well as at the front and the guiding rails for each panel-supporting member are formed at their upper ends with a vertical portion 32 which is of a length somewhat greater than the vertical dimension of the panels and with a lower inclined portion 33 which extends out through the bottomof the compartment 37 in an inclined direction.

lVith this construction when a panel-supporting' member is in its raised position shown in full lines Fig. 6 the panels supported thereby will be housed within the compartment 37 but if the panel-supporting member is moved down the track 31 into the. lower inclined portion thereof the panels will be withdrawn from the compartment and may then be opened out to expose the cards thereon.

I will preferably provide each panel-sup.

porting member with a counterweight 34 which is suflicient to balance the weight of the panel-supporting member and the panels with the cards thereon so that normally each counterweight 34: will retain the panel in. its raised position. Any panel may be readily withdrawn from the compartment, however, by pulling downwardly thereon to bring it into the dotted line position Fi 6 and when in this position the panels will be free from the side walls of the compartment which are cut away, as shown at 38, so that the panels may be opened away from each other to expose the cards. Each panel is shown as provided with a tab 39 by which it may be manipulated.

This construction of card index has the advantage that it occupies a minimum amount of floor space as the dimension from back to the front of the cabinet need be only slightly greaterthan the dimensions of the cards. When, therefore, the cabinet is closed as shown in Fig. 2 it would occupy no more floor space than an ordinary bookcase. The panels, however, can have any desired vertical dimension according to the capacity required for the card index.

shown in Figs. 1 to 5 is that when not in use the cabinet may be closed and thus the cards will be kept clean and free from dust. The card index is also extremely easy to operate and each panel will have the same inclined position when it is withdrawn from the cabinet and open to expose the cards thereon.

I claim.

1. In a card index, the combination with a. cabinet having vertically-extending compartments open at the front, ofa shelf-pivoted to the cabinet and adapted to swing from a position in the plane of the bottom of the compartment to a position against the front of the cabinet in which latter position it acts as a closure for the compartment, a

ment normally housed in an upright position within the compartment and having its lower Another advantage. of the construction end resting on the bottom of the compartment, a link pivotally connecting the upper end of each panel-supporting member to the cabinet and arranged to allow the lower end of said member to slide over said bottom and said shelf, means limiting the movement of the link, and panels carried by each panelsupporting member, whereby when the shelf is open any panel can be withdrawn from its compartment by moving the lower end of its panel-supporting member acrossthe top of the shelf and when withdrawn will be supported in an inclined position.

2. In a card index, the combination with a cabinet having vertically-extending compartments open at the front, of a shelf pivoted to the cabinet and adapted. to swing from a position in the plane of the bottom of the panel to a position against the front of the cabinet in which latter position it acts as a closure for the compartment, a panel s'upporting member for each compartment normally housed in upright position within the compartment and movable intoand out of its compartment, a track on which each panelsupporting member moves, a portion of each track being located on the bottom of the corresponding compartment and the remainder of the track on the shelf, and means connected with the upper end of each panel-supporting member by which the latter is held in an in flange being apertured, and a panel having at its upper end a pintle to enter the aperture of the upper flange and at its lower end a pintle to enter the aperture of the lower flange, the latter pintle having a portion reduced in diameter thereby to provide a shoulder which by its engagement with the lower panelsupporting flange prevents accidental withdrawal of the pintle from the aperture in said flange.

4. In a card index, the combination with a cabinet having vertically-extending compartments open at the front, of a shelf pivoted to the cabinet and adaoted to swing from a position in the plane of the bottom of the compartment to a position against the front of the cabinet in which latter position it acts as a closure for the compartment, a panel-supporting member for each compartment normally having its lower end resting on the bottom of the compartment, a link pivotally connecting the upper end of each panelsupporting member to the cabinet, panels carried by each panel-supporting member, whereby when the shelf is open any panel can be withdrawn from its compartment by moving the lower end of its panel-supporting member across the top of the shelf and when withdrawn will be supported in an inclined position, and wings pivoted to the ends of the shelf and adapted to support the outer panels of the end panel-supporting members when they are withdrawn, said wings being foldable against the ends of the cabinet when the shelf is folded.

5. In a card index, the combination with a cabinet having vertically-extending compartments open at the front, of a shelf pivoted to the cabinet and adapted to swing from a position in the plane of the bottom of the compartment to a position against the front of the cabinet in which latter position it acts as a closure for the compartment, a panel-supporting member for each compartment normally having its lower end resting on the bottom of the compartment, a link pivotally connecting the upper end of each panelsupporting member to the cabinet, panels carried by each panel-supporting member, whereby when the shelf is open any panel can be withdrawn from its compartment by moving the lower end of its panel-supporting they are withdrawn, and means for automatically folding the wings against the ends of the cabinet when the shelf is folded.

6. In a card index, the combination with a cabinet having vertically-extending compartments open at the front, of a shelf extending forwardly from the cabinet in line with the bottom of the compartment, a panelsupporting member for each compartment, a link pivotally connected to the upper end of each panel-supp rting member and to the cabinet for swinging movement in a vertical plane, panels carried by each panel-support ing member, each panel-supporting member being withdrawable from the cabinet by pulling the lower end thereof outwardly over the shelf, the link supporting the upper end as the member is withdrawn and constraining said end to move forwardly and downwardly of tie cabinet, and a brace member pivoted to the cabinet and co-operating with said linlr to limit the downward swinging movement thereof when the p anel-supportin member is withdrawn so that said member is then held in an inclined position with its lowor end resting upon said shelf;

7. A, card index comprising a cabinet open at the front, a horizontal shelf extending forwardly of the cabinet in line with the bottom thereof, a panel-supporting member normally housed in upright position within the cabinet with its lower end resting upon the bot tom thereof, means for pivotally connecting the upper end of said member to the cabinet, said lower end having a roller bearing upon the bottom of the cabinet and upon the shelf when said member is moved outwardly of the cabinet, said connecting means being constructed and arranged to permit outward and downward movement of the upper end of the holder during said movement, and means associated with said connecting means for limiting such movement so that said member is supported in inclined position in front of the cabinet when in extended position.

8. A card index comprising a cabinet open at the front, a shelf pivoted to the bottom of the cabinet at said front and adapted to swing from a position in the plane of said bottom to a position against the front thereof for closing the latter, a panel-supporting member normally housed in upright position within the cabinet with its lower end resting upon the bottom thereof, means for pivotally connecting the upper end of said member to the cabinet, said lowerend being slidable upon the bottom of the cabinet and upon the shelf when said member is moved outwardly of the cabinet, said connecting means being constructed and arranged to permit outward and downward movement of the upper end of the holder during said movement, and means associated with said connecting m ans for limiting such movement so that said member is supported in inclined position in front of the cabinet when in extended position, the shelf having a track extending in the normal path of movement of the panel-supporting member, and the lower end of said member having rolling engagement with said track so that said member is guided during said movement and is restrained against transverse movement at its lower end.

9. A card index comprising a cabinet open at the front, a panel-supporting member normally housed within the cabinet and movable outwardly thereof in a vertical plane, the lower end of said member sliding along the bottom of the cabinet during said movement, a link pivoted at one end to the upper end of said member and pivotally connected at its other end to the cabinet, so that said upper end is constrained to move forwardly and downwardly of the cabinet when the member is withdrawn therefrom, the link swinging downwardly in a vertical plane, and a brace member pivotally connected to the cabinet and cooperating with the link to limit the downward swinging movement thereof, whereby the panel-supporting member is held in an inclined position when extended.

10. A card index comprising a cabinet open at the front, partitions dividing the cabinet into vertical compartments, supports detachably mounted in upright position at the rear of the respective compartments, a panel-supporting member normally housed within each compartment and movable outwardly thereof in a vertical plane, the lower ends of the respective members sliding along the bottom of the cabinet during said movement, a link pivoted at one end to the upper end of each member and at its opposite end to a corresponding support remote from the ends thereof, so that said upper end is constrained to move forwardly and downwardly of the respective compartment when the member is withdrawn therefrom, the link swinging downwardly in a vertical plane, and means associated with said link and said support for limiting the downward movement of said link thereby to hold the extended panel-sup porting member in inclined position.

11. A card index comprising a cabinet open at the front, partitions dividing the cabinet into vertical compartments, supports detachably mounted in upright position at the rear of the respective compartments, a panelsupporting member normally housed within each compartment and movable outwardly thereof in a vertical plane, the lower ends of the respective members sliding along the bottom of the cabinet during said movement, a link pivoted at one end to the upper end of each member and at its opposite end to a corresponding support remote from the ends thereof, so that said upper end is constrained to move forwardly and downwardly of the respective compartment when the member is withdrawn therefrom, the link swinging ing the downward movement of the link,

thereby to hold the extended panel in inclined position. v

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

STANLEY ANTHONY. 

